I know that heavy
drinking can do many bad things to a person. They could get into an
accident when driving, become sick, act inappropriately or watch
reruns of the television show Hazel. I'm sure many of us did not
realize heavy drinking could change our DNA. Not the type of DNA
change you would like to experience. You're not going to develop
superpowers, get increased strength or mental abilities. According
to a new study, binge drinking will result in DNA changes that cause
you to have a stronger desire for alcohol. I wonder if chocolate
does the same thing? Does binge chocolate eating cause long-lasting
changes in a person's DNA? Could this result in an uncontrollable
urge to consume chocolate? I wonder if some people could go from
eating a chocolate bar a day to a serious Nestles quick sniffing
habit. Is it possible for Star Wars movies to change your DNA? I
think is it possible for excessive bacon eating to alter your DNA.
We may need to have some more studies done.
Below are some excerpts
from the story with my valuable insights in italics.
A new study finds that
frequently consuming too much booze may lead to a long-lasting change
in DNA that causes an even stronger desire for alcohol.
Researchers at Rutgers
University studied two genes that play a central role in
one’s drinking behavior: PER2, which influences the
body’s biological clock; and POMC, which regulates the body’s
stress response system.
I suppose if you're
going to study genes that impact a person's desire for alcohol, you
study the one involved with the body's biological clock.
“The good news is
your DNA has not been affected by your excessive alcohol consumption.
It has not been changed so you want to have more and more booze.
Now the bad news.
“What bad news?”
“Your biological
clock has shut down. I'm sorry but you are too old to have children,
wear those cute outfits on the beach or move in with your parents.”
“Okay, I'll drink to
all of it.”
I'm sure if you drink
too much, your body will probably have a slower stress response.
This means when your boss yells and says you're fired, it's okay.
Your DNA may have been altered so you will only be upset about it a
few days later; when you become sober.
After comparing groups of
moderate, binge, and heavy social drinkers, they found that both
genes were modified among those who drink heavily or binged
by an alcohol-influenced gene modification condition
called methlyation. Researchers also noticed reductions in gene
expression — or the rate that the genes create proteins. They found
modifications increased with greater alcohol consumption.
I wonder how they
determine who is a heavy social drinker compared to moderate and
binge.
“You are a moderate
social drinker.”
“I know, I've not put
too much effort into my drinking. Give me time, and I'm sure I could
move up the ranks.”
“If you become a
heavy social drinker your DNA could be changed.”
“Will I turn into
Super Drinking Man with incredible drinking powers.”
“No, you'll just be a
drunk with altered DNA and an increased craving for alcohol.”
“Then I'll better
understand my family.
“Oh.”
Participants in the study
were also shown stress-related, neutral, or alcohol-related images.
They were then shown containers of beer, before being asked to taste
the beverage. Researchers then assessed each participant’s desire
to drink and found those with the genetic changes from heavy
drinking showed a stronger craving.
What were these
neutral, stress-related or alcohol-related images?
“Here is a picture of
a person dreaming.”
“Is that neutral?”
“Yes.”
“Here is a picture of
Yoko Ono about to have a one-person concert inside the living room at
your house.”
“Is that a
stress-related image?”
“No, that's
alcohol-related. Even the researchers wanted to start drinking
heavily after seeing it.”
“What is the
stress-related image?”
“Having Yoko Ono
perform her one-person concert inside your living room without access
to alcohol until the next day.”
“Whoa, that is
stressful.”
The authors hope the
research will lead them to identify genetic markers that could
actually, predict an individual’s risk for binge or heavy drinking.
I'm sure before this
gets perfected there will be a few mistakes.
“According to your
genetic markers you are at risk for heavy drinking.”
“I'm allergic to
alcohol.”
“Your genetic markers
also say you are going to alter your DNA and become a superhero.
It's possible for you to become Super Non-Drinking man.”
“Are you a
scientist?”
“No, I'm a writer for
Marvel comics.”
“Oh.”
Here is a link to the
story.
https://www.studyfinds.org/heavy-drinking-change-dna-alcohol-cravings/
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!
If you think THIS is
funny. Click on the Links Below to Check out My Humor Book
The Longer You Live The
Older You Get
Or my other one
I Speak Cursive Like a
Baby Boomer
No comments:
Post a Comment